Page 15 - Talk of Tequesta- May '23

The Talk Of Tequesta, Page 15

NorTherN NoTes

Grass Carp As Biological Weed Control

By Katie Roundtree, Director of Finance and Administration, Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District

Northern Palm Beach removal are costly
County Improvement alternatives
District uses several that often cause
methods of aquatic weed secondary issues,
control in lakes and triploid grass
canals that we maintain. carp can provide
Some are more obvious, a beneficial tool.
like chemical treatment They are most
or manually removing effective in lakes
unwanted plants from the and deeper canals
waterways. However, there since they can grow
is a lesser-known means 25 to 35 inches
that is relatively efficient and more long-term than long and require
other means. The grass carp, also known as white amur a continual food
(Ctenopharyngodon Idella), can effectively control supply. When introduced, they usually start by consuming body. Therefore, a limited number of fish are introduced
unwanted plants in our lakes and canals. The grass carp torpedo grass but then move on to hydrilla and southern into the ecosystem so that the native fish also have plenty
is native to large coastal rivers in Siberia (Amur River) naiad. The grass carp is a grazer, feeding on vegetation of food. They are intelligent and are notorious for eluding
and China that flow into the Pacific Ocean. They are one near the surface and in shallower waters. The new growth capture if the population gets out of control. Careful
of the largest members of the minnow family. The back of underwater plants is preferred. Plant feeding depends on program management is imperative to avoid consuming too
of the grass carp is silvery to dark grey with large scales, fish size, with small fish preferring grasses like musk grass many plants and disrupting the natural balance of plants
and the sides of the body are lighter with a slightly golden and large fish preferring hardier plants such as hydrilla and and animals.
sheen. The belly is silvery white, and the fins are generally torpedo grass. Small fish will eat only the leaves, but as Northern strives to maintain our lakes and canals in
greenish-grey. The carp used in aquatic weed programs in they increase in size, they will eat both leaves and stems. optimal condition, allowing water to flow freely, especially
Florida are triploid grass carp. Triploid grass carp have As adults, they consume large amounts of plant material. during storm events. Biologic weed control is one method
three sets of chromosomes instead of the usual two, which In suitably warm water, an adult grass carp will consume that is very effective under the right conditions. Stocking
renders them functionally sterile. Triploids are produced its body weight in hydrilla daily. Because of their feeding grass carp into our deeper lakes and canals helps keep the
artificially and cannot reproduce. Therefore, only the fish behavior, they are used under special restricted programs aquatic weeds under control and water flowing.
introduced will remain for their life span, and more can in our area to help manage aquatic plant problems. Florida Source: University of Florida/ IFAS
be added to replace them in about five to 10 years. Fish and Wildlife Commission requires a permit to stock NPDES tip: Planting a rain garden with native plants
As the name implies, grass carp consume aquatic plants lakes with grass carp. somewhere around your home helps lock rain water in the
and submerged grasses. Many aquatic plants that pose While these fish are an effective means of aquatic plant ground, reducing the flow of pollutants and poisons into
problems in Florida are exotic and have few natural insect control, several factors must be considered before using the drains. Using organic fertilizers and pesticides in your
or disease controls; consequently, they frequently create them. Grass carp are not picky eaters. They will generally garden further protects and brings health to your yard and
problems with access, navigation, flood control, irrigation eat the undesirable plant species first. When those plants all the species living there.
and aesthetics. Since chemical herbicides and mechanical are unavailable, they will move onto any plant in the water

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